Wild Rutland, the 1200-acre wildlife and nature reserve planned for Oakham, has announced local and renowned conservationist Tim Appleton as an advisor to the project.  

Wild Rutland is a new nature and wildlife park in the early stages of planning, proposed within 1200 acres of Oakham countryside.  

The project aims to deliver a visitor attraction to encourage tourism to Rutland and offer nature and animal lovers the opportunity to enjoy everything the British countryside has to offer – from ancient woodland, indigenous species and wild animals.  

Now, the team has been joined by a local conservationist, Tim Appleton, MBE.

Best known not only as the instigator of the world-famous Rutland Water nature reserve, where, as reserve manager he took it to international status, but also as the founder of the renowned former Birdfair started in 1989 which has so far raised over £42 million and now returns to Rutland as Global Birdfair in July for its third event.  

Tim's vast experience and credentials in working with nature has given him a keen understanding of the impact of populations on wildlife, which he now addresses as a committed supporter of sustainable eco-tourism. 

His work in the field alongside his local expertise means Tim's insight and advice are hugely valuable to Wild Rutland – which is aiming to sympathetically establish a wildlife, education and leisure destination that is a centre of excellence for conservation, breeding and research of extinct and threatened species in the UK. 

Tim Appleton, MBE. Image credit: Wild Rutland.

Following Wild Rutland's first public exhibition in March, where it revealed its early plans to residents, it is now developing its full planning application for submission to Rutland County Council later this year. 

CEO, Hugh Vere Nicoll, said: "Tim is a driving force in local conservation and its phenomenal that he is working with us as special advisor to the project."

"We are honoured to have him on board and his knowledge of the Rutland landscape and his passionate work in the area to protect indigenous species is exactly what we look to emulate at Wild Rutland. 

"Our ambition is that Wild Rutland will be an exemplar model of a sustainable visitor attraction that puts conservation and education at the heart of its plans, geared towards healing our landscape and allowing a connection to the natural world," said Hugh.  

Tim Appleton said of the project: "I have been a resident of Rutland for over 40 years and the county is known for its rich association with British wildlife conservation.  

"I am delighted to be on board as advisor to such an important project for the region which will contribute in a sustainable way to the natural beauty and existing biodiversity of the local area.   

"Wild Rutland will open up nature to new audiences and work hand in hand with other visitor attractions in the area like Rutland Water, to ensure the county remains a leader in positive nature conservation tourism," said Tim. 

Wild Rutland is showing its Initial plans on its website, available to view until 30 April 2024. It is inviting comment before the full planning application is submitted to Rutland County Council later this year.